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"They remind me of the Army of Oz," he confided to Happy Toko, "but we
never have long speeches in Oz. I declare, I wish I could go to sleep, too, and
that's something I have never seen any use in before."
"They've just begun," yawned Happy Toko, nearly rolling down the steps of
the throne, and Happy was not far wrong, for all afternoon one after the
other of the courtiers arose and droned about the great victory, and as they
all addressed themselves to the Scarecrow, he was forced to listen politely.
When the speeches were over, there was still the grand banquet to be got
through, and as the Silver Islanders ate much the same fare as their
Chinese cousins, you can imagine the poor Scarecrow's feelings.
"Ugh!" shivered the Scarecrow as the strange dishes appeared, "I'm glad
none of my friends are here. How fortunate that I'm stuffed with straw!" The
broiled mice, the stewed shark fins and the bird nest soup made him stare.
He had ordered Happy Toko to be placed at his side, and to watch him
happily at work with his silver chopsticks and porcelain spoon was the only
satisfaction he got out of the feast.
"And what is that?" he asked, pointing to a steaming bowl that had just
been placed before Happy.
"
Minced cat, your Highness," replied Happy, sprinkling it generously with
silver polish.
"Cat?" shrieked the Scarecrow, pouncing to his feet in horror. "Do you mean
to tell me you are eating a poor, innocent, little cat?"
"
Not a poor one at all. A very rich one, I should say," replied Happy Toko
with his mouth full. "Ah, had your Highness only your old body, how you
would enjoy this!"
"
Never!" shouted the Scarecrow so loudly that all of the Courtiers looked up
in surprise. "How dare you eat innocent cats?" Indignantly he thought of
Dorothy's pet kitten back in Oz. Oz--why had he ever left that wonderful
country?
"Your Highness has eaten hundreds," announced the Grand Chew Chew
calmly. "Hundreds!"
The Scarecrow dropped back into his chair, too shocked for speech. He, the
Scarecrow of Oz, had eaten hundreds of cats! What would Dorothy say to
that? Ugh! This was his first experience with Silver Island fare. He had
always spent the dinner hours in the garden. He sighed, and looked
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